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Hull Confirm Keane's Release
Saturday, 18th May 2019 09:57

Hull City have confirmed the release of striker Will Keane, who spent the second half of the season on loan at Portman Road.

The Tigers had an option to keep the former Manchester United trainee for a further season but decided not to take it up meaning the 26-year-old is now available on a free transfer.

Keane joined Town in January and scored three goals in nine starts and two sub appearances but spent much of his time in Suffolk on the sidelines due to a hamstring injury.

But despite the injury, manager Paul Lambert has said he’d like the Mancunian, who recently switched international allegiance to the Republic of Ireland, to join his squad on a permanent basis if it was possible.

“I don’t know, again the money side of it plays a big part, there’s no getting away from that. There’s got to be a realistic view to it,” the Blues manager said last month when quizzed on the chances of Keane signing in the summer while the former England U21 international was out with his injury.

“I don’t need to see Will any more times, I know exactly what he can do. I saw him before in previous years, I know exactly what he can do.

“I know he’s had his injuries from the past and the bad one with his knee and he’s picked up a hamstring problem with us.

“I go back to it, I don’t know what he’d done before [he came to Town], how fit he was before, but one thing is for sure, I know he was playing really well here when he did get injured and he scored three goals and losing him was a blow because he was playing really, really well and scoring.

“Will, he doesn’t need to prove anything to me, I know what he can do. I know Marcus is talking to his agent, so let’s see.”

Asked whether it was a deal he’d like to do if it could be done, he added: “I think he’d be great for us, yes. I think he’d be great.”

Speaking in January, Keane said he’d be interested in a permanent move to the Blues even if they were in League One.

“Yes, definitely. I’ve been really impressed by the size of the club and all the facilities — training ground and stadium — as well as the fans,” he said.

“You can see it’s a great set-up and something I’ve really enjoyed being a part of so far.

“I’m enjoying it here and feeling settled. I’ve moved into a place in the last couple of weeks, which has been nice, and the lads have been telling me about a few nice places to go.

"I’ve also got my partner and our baby here now so that always helps as well.”

Town are already on the verge of completing the signing of Tranmere striker James Norwood on a free transfer but Lambert will be looking to add more than just one frontman to his squad this summer.

That could see one or more of the strikers already at the club depart. We understand Blackburn Rovers showed interest in both Ellis Harrison and Kayden Jackson in January which could well be revived over the summer.


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ohmycampo added 09:59 - May 18
Not done enough to be considered at town. Overall performances were poor, at times lazy, very inconsistent, and imho not good enough for league 1
-27

BlueBlood90 added 10:06 - May 18
No thanks. I honestly don't see how he was so highly thought of during his spell here. Plus we already have too many injury prone players on the books as it is!
-20

Northstander_Blue added 10:06 - May 18
Really ohmycampo
7

OwainG1992 added 10:10 - May 18
I would be happy to give him a chance.
Think he looked a lot more impressive than Ellis Harrison and Kayden Jackson.
20

DurhamTownFan added 10:13 - May 18
Yes he looked more likely to score than Harrison and Jackson, but nobody scores if they're injured. I personally think that if we sign him it sends the wrong message, that we haven't learned anything from last year when we mostly signed anyone who was desperate enough to come to us.

If we have serious ambitions of immediate promotion, we need to play a very careful game with our signings. For me, this isn't the answer.
8

BrettenhamBlue added 10:16 - May 18
Better than Harrison and Jackson but rather prone to injuries. Two very serious knee injuries before joining us and now the hamstring injury. Risky signing in my opinion but that's why I'm not a football manager.
5

BoxerBlue added 10:16 - May 18
I'd be more than happy to have Keane back at town really wouldn't be sorry to see Jackson go
8

TonyHumesIpswich added 10:26 - May 18
Better first touch than Quaner and looked a lot more impressive than Ellis Harrison and Kayden Jackson. He actually looks like a reasonable forward when he is able to play; but he's not able to play that often.
5

robmonkey007 added 10:27 - May 18
If theres no fee attached, it's a gamble but one worth taking in my opinion. Better then what we currently have in the squad, we just need to keep him fit. If of course he wants to come here. Likely to have many offers being available on a free.
5

kingcarloss added 10:27 - May 18
I'd say give him a pre-season, if he's injury free, fit and scoring give him a 1 yr deal with the poss additional year. Honestly think he'll stay up north though.
5

Devereuxxx added 10:36 - May 18
It's a gamble but one I think worth taking. If (and it is a big if) he can stay fit he'd be a huge asset in League 1.

The comment at the end regarding Balckburn & Harrison/Jackson is interesting. In my book, Harrison is the better player and worth keeping, but the club may fancy keeping Jackson in the hope a decent season in League One might raise his value a bit. At the moment, we're going to get nowhere near what we paid for him - which looking back was barmy money.
11

floridaboy added 10:37 - May 18
If the club can sort the hamstring issues out I would have him back in a heartbeat. With the right service he would score goals in Division One. Teamed up with Norwood - if he signs of course - we could see lots of goals next season
8

hollywoodginge added 10:43 - May 18
The injuries he got whilst here are misleading in my opinion, the first was because he was over loaded when he came in due to circumstance, the second was technically still the first one extended again because he was rushed back too soon. With the right rehab and a decent preseason I'm not overly concerned, and I would sign him for sure if the deal is right. Judge Keane and Norwood in league one could do serious damage!!
8

hucks216 added 10:44 - May 18
I agree that the injury issue means any deal is a gamble but on a free it could be one worth taking. When Sheffield Utd looked at McGoldrick, or Bristol City at Webster, some fans would of said the same about them (especially McGoldrick) but they both finished up as their respective club's Player Of The Season and one of them is in the Premier League next season.
9

Sindre94 added 10:49 - May 18
I am a huge fan of Keane, and consider him to be the best footballer «currently» at Town. In my opinion we must keep this lad, of course bearing in mind that the money side of it is reasonable. Great technically gifted player with fantastic vision and general understanding of the game. Seems to have an alright attitude, but his injuries are obvs a worry. For me, a strikeforce consisting of Norwood, Jackson, Harrison and Keane would be really solid, and would make a diamond formation look good. A potential line-up for next season:

Bart
New RB-Chambo-Nsiala/Woolf/-Kenny
Skuse
Downes-Bish
Judge
Keane-Norwood

I find this team exciting and with a nice balance. Of course it would be needed to get in more wide players, but this is an alternative for me. Keane could play just behind the striker/strikers too.
2

bbg added 10:56 - May 18
Would be a great signing in a key position. Could easily do what Murphy did in the play-off year, a player who was never replaced and Keane is potentially a better centre forward. There is no doubt there will be interest from Championship clubs, but Evans needs to gamble on this one, I think it will be well rewarded.

As the Championship gets stronger every year, it is filtering down to League 1, and if we dont get out of it next season, finances will continue to suffer, more players will leave and we could be set for a long stay.
3

LegendofthePhoenix added 11:00 - May 18
A one year contract either a pay as you play, or a large element of it on top of a modest basic, and yes, would be happy to see him here next season. Easy to see why he is a very good striker at Championship level, and as said above he needs a good pre-season, then if he can stay injury free he could be a big asset to get us promoted. Then he's in a great position to get a good deal with us or someone else in a year's time.
5

jas0999 added 11:11 - May 18
The problem is we need to significantly reduce the size of the squad in league one. It's probably not a bad thing. But, equally we need players who can be relied upon and although an injury can occur to any player, the sad reality is Keane picks up more than most and on a regular basis. He played around half the games during his loan - picking up two injuries. Can we afford to bring in a player with a known injury record? Not for me I'm afraid.
6

ShropshireBluenago09 added 11:21 - May 18
Keane & Norwood would make an excellent front 2 little &large pairing
2

WhoisJimmyJuan added 11:21 - May 18
I think sign him on a rolling year's contract with the option of an extension, but ONLY if his wage demands are in line with the rest of the squad and our financial situation. That way both parties get a reasonable deal and should his injuries continue, we can release.
2

TimmyH added 11:36 - May 18
So what if he's been released, doesn't mean he's coming here...personally think it's a risk if we sign him with his injury record, we should learn from recent history.
6

Mark added 11:40 - May 18
I think Keane would excel in League One BUT I doubt he would play that many matches, so could be an expensive mistake. We need to learn our lessons from signing too many injury prone players over recent seasons. Let's focus our limited money on getting James Norwood in the door as a reliable goalscorer is likely to be the difference between getting promoted or not.
4

ArnieM added 11:42 - May 18
Really not sure about this player. We've had years of buying somebody else injury prone has been a and look where it's got us. Can AFFORD to take this risk on Will Keane?
3

Dissboyitfc added 11:43 - May 18
Lambert says he has nothing to prove, I think he does and that's his fitness! If he is able to play games I think he will be a right handful in Lg 1
6

BeattiesBackPocket added 12:02 - May 18
Ohmycampo don't you budgies fans have your own website!?
Better on the floor than in the air for me so don't see him as an option of playing it long or for a plan B however he's definitely better than Jackson for me
0


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